Rebecca Adlington

DOUBLE gold medalist Rebecca Adlington has hinted that she could retire this year should she have a successful Olympics - or fail to win a place on the Great Britain team.

Adlington wants to repeat her heroics of Beijing in London but admitted she had other ambitions should she decide to walk away from the pool.

“It wouldn’t have been the end of the world if I hadn’t made Beijing because London 2012 was always the target, but this time if I don’t make it I would have to reassess everything and would probably retire - I’d have to ask the question, ‘Have I really got four more years left in me?’,” said Adlington, 22, who added she may choose to consider carrying on should she not the results she yearns for in London.

“If I’m happy that I’ve done what I can, I’d be ready... I would like to do more commentating, Strictly (Come Dancing) I’d love to do - and then I’d love to do the team manager’s job for Britain. I think I’d have a lot to offer from the right perspective.”